Indiana Voter ID (Amicus Counsel)

Despite vociferous concerns expressed by representatives of traditionally marginalized voter groups, the United States Supreme Court has upheld an Indiana state law that requires voters to present photo identification at the polls on Election Day. In the consolidated cases of Crawford v. Marion County Election Board and Indiana Democratic Party v. Rokita, the Court concluded that Indiana’s photo ID requirement, which provided for free identification cards and made exceptions for indigent voters and nursing home residents, did not burden voters.

MALDEF filed an amicus, or "friend of the court," brief in the case, arguing that the Indiana law should be struck down as unconstitutional.

This decision will potentially disenfranchise thousands of voters. In fact, in May 2008, several nuns in their 80s and 90s were blocked from voting in Indiana’s primary election because they did not have current photo identification.